Goodness

• The word “good” is one of the first words recorded in the Bible. In the fourth verse of the first chapter of Genesis, God creates light and says that it is good. He goes on to create the sun, stars, earth and everything in it, declaring each aspect of his vast creation to be good.

• It’s such a simple word that it is hard to fathom it being the only adjective God uses to describe his awesome creation. Yet at its core, the word “good” perfectly describes God’s creation because it perfectly describes God’s character. He is good, and everything he does is good.

• Goodness can be synonymous with kindness and mean “an uprightness in heart and life” according to Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon. This definition is so helpful, because it speaks to the “heart” within us as well as the “life” or actions that flow from it.

• Goodness comes from within and reflects the goodness of God. A person is known as being good when they display attitudes and actions that support that goodness. They behave in a way that is kind, generous, loving, helpful, humble, and a host of other adjectives that confirm the goodness of their heart.

• Psalm 31:19 declares the greatness of God’s goodness. What a curious choice of phrase! The goodness of God is so good that it is great!

• Not only is God exceedingly good, but he bestows that goodness upon those of us who fear him and have put our faith in him. The greatest good thing is Jesus, God’s only son who he sent to the world to live the perfect life we could never live, dying in our place so that we can be with God for eternity.

• When we believe in Jesus and become a part of his life-giving vine, the Holy Spirit within us bears goodness. We grow in that goodness as we become more like Jesus and display that loving-kindness to those around us.

• Look up the following verses. Write what you learn about the goodness of God.
  Exodus 33:19
  Psalm 23:6
  Psalm 25:7
  Psalm 31:19
  Psalm 52:1
  Isaiah 63:7
  Romans 2:4